Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories

About

As we approach the centennial of the passage of women's suffrage in 1920, there has been a recent burst of activism among American women. Women are running for political office in record numbers. Women are organizing and taking to the streets to demand change. Women are grappling with inclusion and intersectionality.

While some of this activity may have been a response to the 2016 presidential elections, its roots lie deep in 20th-century history " a history richly preservedin Harvard's Schlesinger Library building on the library's 75th Anniversary Exhibit.

This course exemplifies the importance of archives in themaking of history. Professors Laurel Ulrich and Jane Kamensky, along with colleagues from across Harvard University and beyond, show how women in the 20th-century United States pushed boundaries, fought for new rights, and challenged contemporary notions of what women could and should do.

Through the exploration of ten iconic objects from the Schlesinger collection, they demonstrate how women created change by embracing education, adopting new technologies, and creating innovative works of art; pushing against discrimination and stepping into new roles in public and in private.

What you will learn

• The many ways ordinary people have created change
• The centrality of women in American history
• How history is complex, nonlinear, and in constant conversation with the present
• How objects can embody stories of change
• How our understanding of history is shaped by which stories are told

Skills you learn

• Archives
• Library
• Innovation

Auto Summary

Discover how women have shaped history in the United States through the compelling course, "Women Making History: Ten Objects, Many Stories." Designed for enthusiasts of Arts and Humanities, this course is led by esteemed Harvard professors Laurel Ulrich and Jane Kamensky, along with other distinguished scholars. As we commemorate the centennial of women's suffrage, this engaging course delves into the vibrant history of women’s activism and achievements in the 20th century, preserved meticulously by Harvard's Schlesinger Library. By examining ten significant objects from the Schlesinger collection, learners will uncover how women have pushed boundaries, fought for their rights, embraced education, adopted new technologies, and created innovative works of art. This foundational course spans eight weeks and is available through a Starter subscription on edX, making it accessible and perfect for anyone interested in exploring the critical contributions of women in shaping contemporary society. Join us to gain a richer understanding of the dynamic role women have played in history and the ongoing quest for equality and inclusion.